About

Arts and Minds

This summer in Portland, Oregon, activists, artists, and everyday folk will paint a powerful mural on an ugly wall. We're using creative energy to spotlight Oregon's criminal justice system and activate change.

Picture this: a group of people brought together by their passion for freedom and criminal justice reform. During an all day block party, this community paints a mural whose collaborative design tells the story of our criminal justice system – the real pain, consequences, and collateral damage. While they paint, musicians, poets, and storytellers will entertain. On the sidelines, organizations will present simple ways participants can help to reform the criminal justice system.

It’s an experiment in grassroots artistic activism: we want a criminal justice system that encourages human dignity, improves public safety, keeps victims whole, and leads to a healthier society. We believe art can make the reform conversation louder and more urgent.

Two things will live on when the Portland Arts and Minds event is over: the mural, reminding viewers of the effects of the criminal justice system, and the community of participants, working for reform.

To bring Arts and Minds to life – we need funding.

We need your help!

We must pay for all that goes into making an event: paint, rental equipment, wall preparation materials, a PA system, a scaffold, government licensing fees, staffing, posters, and insurance.

We’re offering some delightful rewards for your help: see them in the side panel.

Please help bring Arts and Minds to lifel! Thank you in advance for your generous donation!

Please help bring Arts and Minds to life for the first time. Please give generously to get the paint on the wall.

Arts and Minds is a project of Spark Freedom, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Music: http://www.bensound.com

Risks and challenges

There’s a single risk: not enough help to launch Arts and Minds. We must pay for all that goes into making an event and attract volunteer workers to staff it. Will you join the Arts and Minds community?